Ingredients
- Worsted weight (weight 4, medium) matte lilac acrylic yarn, about 170 yards per 100 g skein, 1 full skein plus about 10 yards from a second skein
- Worsted weight (weight 4, medium) silver or metallic acrylic yarn, about 50 yards per 100 g skein, 20 yards
- H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends
- Sharp scissors
- Stitch marker, optional
- Tape measure
- Small amount of polyester fiberfill, about 1 ounce
- Silver felt, about one 5-by-7-inch piece
- Black embroidery floss, about 1 yard
- 18 large beads, about 1/2 inch each
- Two small wooden rings, about 1 inch across
- One-inch ruffled ribbon, 2 yards
Instructions
- With lilac yarn, make a magic ring, then chain 1 and work 6 single crochet into the ring.
- Pull the ring closed, do not join yet.
- Round 2: Work 2 sc in each stitch around (12 stitches).
- Round 3: Work 1 sc in the first stitch, then 2 sc in the next stitch; repeat around (18 stitches).
- Round 4: Work 1 sc in the first stitch and 2 sc in the next stitch; repeat around (24 stitches).
- Round 5: Work 1 sc in each of the next 3 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch; repeat around (30 stitches).
- Round 6: Work 1 sc in each of the next 4 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch; repeat around (36 stitches).
- Round 7: Work 1 sc in each of the next 5 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch; repeat around (42 stitches).
- Rounds 8 through 17: Chain 1, then work 1 sc in each stitch around. Join with a sl st at the end of every round (42 stitches).
- Cut a piece of felt to fit the base, about 5 1/2 inches across, and place it inside the bucket.
- Add a small amount of polyester fiberfill around the lower inside edge.
- Round 18: Chain 1, then work 1 sc in each stitch around, going through the back loop only (BLO). Join with a sl st (42 stitches).
- Rounds 19 and 20: Chain 1 and work 1 sc in each stitch around through both loops. Join with a sl st after each round (42 stitches).
- Finish the body by cutting the lilac yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Pull the tail through the final loop, weave it through several inside stitches, and weave in the starting tail.
- Make the handle with a 36-inch chain using lilac yarn. Slip stitch back across the chain for a smoother edge, then fasten off.
- Wrap each end around a wooden ring and sew it securely to the inside of the bucket.
- Add the beads and ruffled ribbon after the handle is attached.
- Sew 9 beads to each side of the handle and stitch the ribbon around each wooden ring.
- Cut two silver felt circles for the eyes, two small silver triangles for the nose, and a curved silver shape for the mouth, and sew them to the front with matching silver thread.
- Outline the eyes and mouth with black embroidery floss.
- Give the finished bucket a gentle shaping session by smoothing with your hands.
Notes
Small parts and long loose stitches are unsafe for children under three. Use this bucket as adult-supervised decor or remove the embellishments for a child’s version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
